Unprecedented degree of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) group M genetic diversity in the Democratic Republic of Congo suggests that the HIV-1 pandemic originated in Central Africa.

The purpose of this study was to document the genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC; formerly Zaire). A total of 247 HIV-1-positive samples, collected during an epidemiologic survey conducted in 1997 in three regions (Kinshasa [the capital], Bwamanda [in the north], and Mbuyi-Maya [in the south]), were genetically characterized in the env V3-V5 region. All known subtypes were found to cocirculate, and for 6% of the samples the subtype could not be identified.

Evidence of stable HIV seroprevalences in selected populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Objective: To determine current data on HIV infection and to document changes and trends of HIV seroprevalence in selected populations over time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; former Zaïre).

Methods: In February 1997, a large serosurvey was conducted on selected population groups from Kinshasa (capital city), Mbuji-May (southeast) and Bwamanda (northwest). Samples obtained from pregnant women, tuberculosis patients, commercial sex workers, blood donors and sexually transmitted disease patients were screened for the presence of HIV antibodies by a rapid assay and a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.